Solutions
Damian quickly dodged the punch aimed at his face. It went on like that for a while. Marinette would attack and Damian would block. Eventually Marinette was fast enough between blows to actually land a hit right to his sternum. Damian stumbled before launching his first attack. The two traded between blocking and attacking. After a while Marinette stepped back and sat down.
“I really don’t like you right now. You were a total asshole before and I don’t like assholes. As of right now I feel like a total joke. I’m willing to give this another shot but that means that you’re not going to toy with my emotions. I don’t trust you and it’s going to take a long time for me to trust you. I don’t want to be thrown into a relationship with you and I’m sure you feel the same way.” Marinette stood up and started walking around.
Damian watched Marinette walk back and forth in front of him before speaking up. “I don’t trust you and I don’t want to be in a relationship with you either. When I was growing up I was taught that having a soulmate is a weakness and I do believe that to an extent.”
“Fine.” Marinette huffed before her shoulders slumped. “I should probably let you know that Lila is claiming to be your soulmate.”
“She won’t be for long.”
Marinette nodded softly and turned away from Damian, wishing she was talking with Jason or Tikki.
“Hey Pixie-Pop.” Jason smiled as Marinette sat up.
“Hey.” Marinette looked to her side to see Damian still out cold, she frowned softly before standing up and walking out of the room with her eyes on the floor as she made her way to her room. “Tikki, I’m going to bed.”
“He doesn’t care about you.” Lila grinned. “Damiboo and I are going to be happy together.”
“You’re not taking him away from me Lila, he doesn’t want me around. Gaining him has no effect on me.” Marinette brushed passed Lila.
“What about Jason and Dick. You seem to really care about them. It would be a shame if they got a new little sister.” Lila began to laugh.
“That won’t happen.” Marinette’s lip quivered.
“Little sis, we’re heading out for some ice cream. Damian said he’ll meet us there.” Dick said as he draped an arm over Lila’s shoulder.
“Oh that would be great.” Lila smiled sweetly at the male.
“Who the fuck are you?” Jason asked as he looked down at Marinette.
“Jason, it’s me, Marinette. You call me Pixie-Pop.” Marinette gave him a watery smile.
Jason looked at Lila and Marinette. “No, Lila is my Pixie-Pop, you're the bitch that’s been bullying my baby sister for years.” Jason’s face darkened.
Before Marinette knew what was happening Marinette was thrown to the floor. She felt a shooting pain in her ribs.
“Gah!” Marinette gasped as she tried to push herself off of the floor. “Tikki, hit the lights.”
Tikki quickly flew to a lamp and turned it on. “Marinette!”
“I’m fine.” She said, trying to convince herself.
“No you’re not! Your stitches opened.” Tikki flew to get a towel from the bathroom.
There was a knock on the door. “Dupain-Cheng, what is the meaning of the racket coming from your room at this hour?”
“I fell out of bed, my stitches opened up.” Marinette called.
Tikki flew to open the door. “Do you know how to fix her stitches?” Tikki was worried.
“Yes. I have a first aid kit in my room, give me one moment.” Damian quickly went to grab his first aid kit.
Marinette slowly moved towards the bathroom. Damian quickly came back into the room and helped Marinette into the bathroom. He quietly worked on stitching back up her wound. Marinette looked over his face, he seemed almost angrier than usual.
“I’m sorry Damian.” Marinette said softly.
Damian paused for a second before he finished and put the first aid kit to the side. “Will you stop apologizing for things. You keep saying you’re sorry for things that are out of your control.” Marinette nodded and he continued. “I should be the one who is sorry. I was a total asshole earlier, I treated you like I would treat a case when I should have treated you like a person.”
“Let’s try this again.” Marinette sighed. “I’m Marinette.”
“Damian.” Damian offered his hand and Marinette happily shook it. “It’s getting late.” Damian helped Marinette get back to her bed before leaving the room and closing the door behind him.
The next morning was hectic. Marinette didn’t go back to sleep, opting to work on some new designs, so she walked into her door frame on her way out of her room.
“Woah, Marinette.” Dick said as he walked over to Marinette. “What are you doing up?”
“I kinda got lost in designing.” Marinette laughed nervously. “It’s fine, I just need some caffeine.” Marinette added when she saw Dick’s worried face.
Dick rolled his eyes and smiled. “You better not end up like Timmy.”
As the two walked into the kitchen Marinette was surprised that Dick got sent out by Alfred.
“I’m sorry master Dick but you’re not allowed in the kitchen for the next week and three days along with your brother, master Tim.” Alfred said while Dick sulked. “Miss Marinette, if you would like to make yourself coffee you may, breakfast shall be ready shortly.”
“Marinette, help me.” Dick said dramatically.
Marinette giggled. “What do you want from the kitchen?”
Marinette walked into the kitchen to get her and Dick some coffee. She was able to get the water, milk and sugar, but couldn’t find the coffee grounds.
“Top cabinet to your left in the blue canister.” Damian said as he walked into the room.
Marinette looked where he said and sure enough, there were the coffee grounds. “Thanks Damian.” Marinette turned towards him with a smile. “Do you want some?”
“I don’t like coffee.” He said as he grabbed a mug from the cabinet. “But thank you for the offer.”
“Of course. I figured I could go on the trip today so I got up early.” Marinette said as she made herself and Dick coffee.
“I don’t suggest that.” Damian stated as he worked on making himself a cup of tea.
Marinette crossed her arms and stared at the boy. “Oh really? And why’s that?” She was obviously not pleased with the idea.
“Need I remind you about what happened last night?” Damian stated.
Jason walked in the room and looked between the two teens having a stair down, Marinett’s face tinged pink with the thought of last night. “If you say the two of you fucked, I’m out.”
Marinette looked at Jason like he kicked a puppy while Damian threw a knife towards his older brother. Jason just moved to the side and continued to pull out some food for himself.
“Now, it’s not that I have a problem with young love. Just make sure you use a condom.” Jason shrugged.
Marinette started choking while Damian hit his head on the counter.
“Can you act like an adult for once in your life Todd?” Damian grumbled.
Marinette finished making her and Dick’s coffees before stammering about leaving the room and having not done anything. Once out of the room Marinette handed Dick his coffee and set her cup down on the table before burying her head in her hands.
“Jason said something inappropriate?” Dick asked, Marinette nodded. “Did Damian throw something at him?”
“Yes. Then Jason said something even worse.” Marinette whined.
Dick laughed before yelling at Jason that they need to protect Marinette’s innocence, not destroy it.
“Morning.” Tim yawned as he almost walked into the table.
“Morning Timmy.” Dick chuckled as he slid his coffee towards Tim. “Did you get any sleep?”
Tim looked at Dick like he was telling a hilarious joke and rolled his eyes. “What do you think? What was with all of the yelling?”
“Jason is ruining Marinette’s innocence while teasing Damian.” Dick provided.
“Ah, knife or fork?” Tim asked after he took a sip of coffee.
“Knife.” Marinette and Dick said.
Damian walked into the room cleaning off his knife. “I didn’t stab him, we were just having a friendly conversation.” He said before sitting down next to Dick.
“The fucking heathen attacked me.” Jason said as he came out of the kitchen looking disheveled.
Damian smirked as he put his knife back into his school jacket. Marinette looked at him curiously but quickly dropped her gaze to her coffee cup when Damian looked her way.
“Like I said, I didn’t stab him.” Damian leaned back in his chair.
Dick laughed as Jason plopped down next to Marinette.
Damian stood up and was about to leave the room when he turned towards the table. “Marinette isn’t going to be joining the class today.” And walked out.
Jason turned towards Marinette and was about to speak when Marinette beat him to it. “I fell out of bed and reopened my stitches last night. Damian heard and helped me out.” Her face turned a darker shade of pink before she stood up and walked in the direction Damian left in.
Marinette got lost and ended up walking out onto a terrace that looked over the driveway. Marinette watched as Damian drove away.
“You should talk to him.” Tikki insisted.
Marinette groaned. “How am I supposed to do that. It’s not like he makes it easy to talk about things. He’s so difficult!”
Marinette and Tikki bickered for a little longer before Marinette walked back to her room and pulled out her sketchbook. Marinette drew a dress that faded from pink to dark red with small ladybugs and cherry blossoms. The next was a black and green suit with small cat heads and snakes scattered over the jacket. At some point Marinette stood up to open her window then sat back down. As she worked, Marinette played music that she was softly singing along to.
You fascinated me
Cloaked in shadows and secrecy
The beauty of a broken angel
I ventured carefully
Afraid of what you thought I'd be
But pretty soon I was entangled
You take me by the hand
I question who I am
Teach me how to fight
I'll show you how to win
You're my mortal flaw
And I'm your fatal sin
Let me feel the sting
The pain
The burn
Under my skin
Marinette’s voice raised slowly until she was singing out loud.
Put me to the test
I'll prove that I'm strong
Won't let myself believe
That what we feel is wrong
I finally see what
You knew was inside me
All along
That behind this soft exterior
Lies a warrior
At this point Marinette’s work was fully forgotten as she continued to sing her heart out while walking towards the window to look at the view of the sun over the trees.
My memory refused
To separate the lies from truth
And search the past
My mind created
I kept on pushing through
Standing resolute which you
In equal measure
Loved and hated
You take me by the hand
I'm seeing who I am
Teach me how to fight
I'll show you how to win
You're my mortal flaw
And I'm your fatal sin
Let me feel the sting
The pain
The burn
Under my skin
Put me to the test
I'll prove that I'm strong
Won't let myself believe
That what we feel is wrong
I finally see what
You knew was inside me
All along
That behind this soft exterior
Lies a warrior
Lies a warrior
You take me by the hand
I'm sure of who I am
Teach me how to fight
I'll show you how to win
You're my mortal flaw
And I'm your fatal sin
Let me feel the sting
The pain
The burn
Under my skin
Put me to the test
I'll prove that I'm strong
Won't let myself believe
That what we feel is wrong
I finally see what
You knew was inside me
All along
That behind this soft exterior
Lies a warrior
Ohhhh
The pictures come to life
Wake in the dead of night
Open my eyes
I must be dreaming
Clutch my pillow tight
Brace myself for the fight
I've heard that seeing
Is believing
(Warrior by Beth Crowley)
Marinette sighed before slowly closing her window and going back to her work.
“Girl!?” Marinette jumped as she heard someone start yelling. “Damian! Why didn’t you tell me there was a girl staying here?!”
Marinette groaned. “Was I really that loud? Who else heard?” Marinette thought as she fidgeted with the hem of her shirt.
“Kent, I already told you that one of the students from the French class is staying here for their trip.” Marinette heard Damian’s distant voice say.
“Can I meet her? I’ve been waiting to meet kids from the class for weeks!”
Marinette couldn’t help but giggle softly as she heard the two boys bicker. Marinette opened her door and saw Damian and another boy standing just a few feet away. Both turned towards her, Damian’s face held the same frown while the other boy beamed and rushed over towards her.
“Hi, I’m Marinette.” Marinette smiled and held out her hand.
The boy happily shook it. “Jon.”
Marinette looked at Damian with a look of annoyance. “Damian.”
“Dupain-Cheng.” Damian nodded before walking closer to the group. “Kent, she is the class president of her class.”
“Cool!” Jon smiled. “Hey Marinette, if he’s being a jerk let me know.”
“Thank you Jon but I think I’ll decline your offer.” Marinette had an evil gleam in her eyes.
Jon looked between Marinette and Damian who were currently having a staring contest. “Okay. Hey, Damian and I were just finishing up homework. Are you busy?”
“I was just finishing up a personal project. If you give me two minutes I’ll be out.” Marinette said before heading back into her room and closing the door. Marinette quickly put her sketchbook into her suitcase, grabbed her phone and purse before walking out of her room. “Ready.”
“Great. I was thinking about going out to grab some coffee or something since its a nice day. What do you think?” Jon asked.
“I think it’s a ridiculous idea. Everything that is needed is here.” Damian stated.
Marinette rolled her eyes. “I think it’s a great idea Jon. You’re out voted Wayne.” Marinette teased.
“So Marinette, are you excited about your trip?” Jon asked as the three walked out of the manor and towards Damian’s car.
“Definitely. Although Damian benched me for the day and possibly tomorrow.” Marinette sent Damian a playful glare.
“Oh really?” Jon smirked.
Damian rolled his eyes. “I’m tempted to bench you tomorrow as well Dupain-Cheng.”
Marinette and Jon talked while Damian drove to a small cafe in the city. After getting their drinks the teens walked around. Everything was fine until Marinette heard Lila’s witch-like laughter. Marinette quickly ducked into the closest shop and away from any windows. Damian and Jon quickly followed. Marinette was shaking slightly as she watched her class walk past the window.
“Kent, go see if they have left.” Jon nodded and walked towards the windows. “Dupain-Cheng, look at me.” Damian said softly as he place his hands on Marinette’s shoulders gently. “Marinette.” Damian’s voice was soft but firm. Marinette looked up at the boy and tried to school her emotions.
“I’m fine Damian.” Marinette said softly.
“What have they done to you?” Damian asked sternly.
Marinette got defensive. “You’re the one who looked into my entire life, figure it out.”
Damian could see the worry, anger and despair in Marinette’s eyes. “Hey, look at me.”
“Let me go Damian. Please let me go.” Marinette said softly.
Jon ran up to tell them that the group went into a shop down the street. “We should leave now.”
Marinette nodded and walked out of the store with the boys following behind. Jon walked up to Marinette and bumped her shoulder, Marinette bumped his back.
After a few hours Damian and Marinette drove back to the manor while Jon promised to take the train and would call them when he got home. Marinette quickly walked towards her room once she was in the manor.
“Dupain-Cheng.” Damian started.
“If you want to talk, you’re going to have to do a lot more than just say my name Damian.” Marinette said softly.
“Fine.” Damian said before pulling his sleeve down and grabbing onto Marinette’s arm before pulling her into the library. “Sit.”
Marinette huffed before sitting down on a chair. Damian touched her bare hand and instantly the two were back in their mindspace. Marinette walked over to the couch and sat down.
“Why did you react the way you did when you heard Rossi’s laugh?” Damian asked as Marinette played with the blanket in her lap. “Marinette?”
“Damian, she ruined most of my life within months. Her sole purpose is ruining my life. Imagine if you had the Joker’s laugh following you in your personal life, taking away your friends and turning the world against you for years.” Marinette curled in on herself.
“Your class is being divided up. Do you know what group you’ll be in?” Damian tried coaxing Marinette out of her worry.
“Adri, Chloé and I are the only students who fluently speak English. We’ll be in the honors classes as well because we’re further ahead then the rest of the class.” Marinette explained.
Damian nodded. “That means the three of you are going to be in some of my classes.” Marinette’s face brightened. “Classes start in two days, which means starting Monday you will be held in one of the highest standards of Gotham Academy regardless of your country.”
Marinette smiled and looked like she wanted to say something before going deeper into her shell. Damian noticed and sighed softly. “Look Damian, I don’t care if I’ll be held at a higher standard by your school. I care if this will backfire on me because of people finding out about us.”
“That’s your biggest worry? Whether people find out you and I are soulmates?” Damian said the word soulmates as if it offended him.
Marinette stood up abruptly. “Actually yes Damian it is. Lila turned everyone against me and is now saying that you and her are soulmates. If people found out that we are soulmates, then you’ll have a lot more to worry about than just having a soulmate. I’ve learned the hard way that Lila will not rest until she gets what she wants.” Marinette walked a few feet away from Damian and sat down on the floor.
“Marinette, you’re acting like a child.” Damian stated.
“And you’re being a jerk, again.” Marinette mumbled angrily.
“At least I’m being mature.” Damian said stiffly.
Marinette whipped her head around and glared at Damian. “You’re being a jerk. Don’t talk to me.”
Damian rolled his eyes and laid down on the couch. He didn’t fall asleep, but the rest felt nice. Marinette on the other hand was angry. Why is this guy, who she has had little to no positive experiences with, telling her that she is acting like a child when he himself is acting like a sixty year old man from the 80’s. Marinette took a deep breath before walking over to Damian. Sensing Marinette’s movements, Damian sat up and looked at the girl.
“You are a real jerk, Damian. Why?” Marinette asked as she sat down on the opposite side of the couch from Damian.
“Excuse me?” Damian raised an eyebrow at the girl in front of him.
“I asked why you’re such a jerk.” Marinette stated.
“I prefer the word blunt.” Damian said boredly.
The two bickered for a while, unsure of how long, before deciding to go back to the real world. When they sat up, they realized that it was getting dark. Marinette went to her room while Damian went down to the cave.
“So Demon Spawn, what were you and Pixie-Pop doing?” Jason asked as Damian entered the cave.
“We were getting to know a little bit about each other. It’s none of your business Todd.” Damian sat in his chair by the bat computer, pulling up the file on the class.
Marinette stayed at the manor until they were supposed to be going to Gotham Academy. Marinette and Damian learned how to coexist with each other to a degree.
“Marinette.” Damian greeted Marinette in the hallway Monday morning.
“Good morning Damian.” Marinette offered Damian a soft smile. “Why do you think that every time we touch, we end up in the mind space?”
“Most likely because every time we have touched the others bare skin, besides once, we wanted to go to the mind space.” Damian stated off the bat.
“Okay, so if we focus on staying in the real world, we can touch each other.” Marinette bounced on the balls of her feet. “Let’s try it.”
Damian rolled his eyes at how excited Marinette was but found the act a little cute.
“Wait.” Damian thought. “Did I think that Marinette was being cute?”
“Damian, are you okay?” Marinette placed her hand onto Damian’s shoulder.
Damian looked at Marinette who was smiling up at him. “Yeah, I just got a little lost in thought.”
“Oh okay.” Marinette looked at Damian curiously. “Anyway, let’s try this out.”
Marinette held her hand in front of her. Damian hesitantly took Marinette’s hand in his own. Both teens thought about staying where they were.
“We did it!” Marinette cheered.
Dick walked into the hallway. “Hey guys what are you, oh hey, you’re holding hands!”
“Yes we are. We figured out a way to stay in the real world while touching the other.” Marinette was bouncing on the balls of her feet happily.
“Cool, well you both better start moving before you’re late for school.”
“Thanks Dick!” Marinette hugged the older teen before walking quickly to the kitchen.
Dick turned to Damian once Marinette was out of earshot. “Marinette seems very happy. What happened?”
“I don’t know. She didn’t start acting like that until we started discussing a way to touch each other without going into the mind space.”
“That’s a good thing Baby Bird.” Dick put his hand on Damian’s shoulder and gave him a supportive smile.
“I guess it is.” Damian said softly before following Marinette to the kitchen.